Knitting machine



Sept. 24, 1963 o. FREGEOLLE 3,104,537

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

OSCAR FREGEOLLE.

Fig/'3 k $425k A TTORNE Y Sept. 24, 1963 o. FREGEOLLE 3,104,537

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 6, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. OSCAR FREGEOLLE.

A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3,104,537 KNlTTiNG MACHENE Oscar Fregeolle, Lincoln, RL, assignor to Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass, a corporation of Maine Filed Feb. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 87,339 3 Claims. (Cl. 66-1t98) This invention relates to improvements in circular, independent needle, knitting machines, and particularly, to a method and mechanism for knitting fashioned hosiery.

It is the general object of the invention to improve the knitting of fabrics wherein a body yarn is drawn over the backs and behind the nibs of sinkers, the sinker loops then being passed from the backs of the nibs to the throats of the sinkers, by increasing the degree to which fashioning has heretofore been possible in that type of knitting.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide an improved method and mechanism for knitting fine gauge hosiery, and especially ladies seamless hosiery, wherein the length of stitches or knitted loops may be varied froma maximum in the welt and upper leg portions of the stocking down to a minimum in the ankle portion While still utilizing to full extent the benefits of knitting over the backs of sinkers and at the same time making possible variations in the ankle size as desired.

It is a further object to provide novel sinker cams for a circular, independent needle, knitting machine which will function to streamline sinker action and which will selectively cooperate with the needles to reduce stitch length as desired whereby the limits of fashioning have been increased and the physical appearance of the knitted article has been enhanced by perfectly uniform and symmetrical loop structure.

It is a further object to provide .a mechanism whereby the fiopper cam and casting off cam settings may be quickly and easily established whet-her straight back or oiiset needles are used.

Further objects will be apparent from the description to (follow.

United States Patents 2,374,857 and 2,376,044 disclose a method of knitting in which a base yarn, instead of being drawn in front of the nibs of sinkers as in the conventional practice, is drawn over the backs of those nibs to produce a uniform. and symmetrical loop structure in fine gauge knitting. Such a method has been widely accepted throughout the ladies seamless hosiery industry as being far superior to the conventional method of knitting in that a much improved appearing fabric results. The method according to the teaching of those patents, however, had the limitation of not being able to produce a stocking in which the limits of fashioning were as broad as desired, that is, wherein the welt of the stocking was full size and at the same time the ankle portion small enough to fit properly and tightly. A pre-boarding operation has been considered more or less necessary during the finishing of the stocking in order to keep the ankle size at a minimum. Additionally, no provision was made for permitting variations in the ankle size.

According to the present invention, a mechanism has been devised which makes it possible to reduce the ankle size of fine gauge, circularly knitted hosiery to a minimum and at the same time to keep the welt portion rela- Patented Sept. 24, 1963 2 tively large while still utilizing the benefits of knitting over the backs of sinkers, variations in the ankle size being possible over a fairly large range.

For example, on a standard 400 needle ladies circular machine, a stocking may be knitted over the backs of sinkers and having a welt size of approximately fifteen inches while the ankle may be knitted down to a 10-inch size on the machine, or the ankle may be varied between 10 and about 12 inches. Briefly, this is accomplished by progressively withdrawing the casting ofi point of the sinkers outwardly of the needle cylinder as the length of the knitted loops is being gradually shortened. This minimizes the stretching of the previously for-med sinker loops in the throats or the sinkers and which have already been measured, which stretching takes place during casting eil of those loops over the tops of needles. In this manner tighter loops can be knitted without fear of cutting during casting off. An adjustable variation in the setting of the casting ofi point out the sinker cam permits a variation in the ankle size and produces the best appearing fabric for that particular size.

Further advantages will appear from the following detailed description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a knitting machine, illustrating the movable sinker cams and their control means.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the'mechanism shown in FIG. 1. 7

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the sinker cap, sinker head, and the movable sinker cams.

FIGS. 4 to 7 illustrate the various positions which the sinker casting off andfiopper cams occupy during knitting of different portions of an article of hosiery.

This application is a continuation-in-part of US. applioation No. 43,600, filed on July 18, 1960, the disclosure in which is incorporated hereinto insofar as pertinent. FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a needle cylinder 1%,

a sinker cap 1-1, a sinker head 1-2, and sinkers 13. In

the particular machine to be described the needle cylinder, sinker head and sinkers are normally rotated or reciprocated past stationary needle and sinker cams, the latter of which are supported in the cap 11.

The present invention is especially adapted for a methed as disclosed in United-States Patents 2,374,857 and 2,376Al44 wherein the measuring and drawing or yarn takes place over the backs and behind the nibs 14 of the sinkers rather than in the front of those nibs as in the usual practice. Previously formed needle loops are cast off by means of the sinkers acting upon the intervening previously formed sinker loops only and not upon the newly formed ones, and \causing the latter to pass iirom the backs over the tops of the nibs and into the throats of the sinkers. in this manner straining and deformation of the previously formed loops are kept. at a minimum.

A fiopper cam 15 moves the sinkers inwardly at predetermined times to permit the body yarn to be laid, measured and drawn over a drawing surface r16 behind the nibs of the. sinkers. A casting off cam 17 underlies the fiopper cam, both cams being pivotally mounted on the cap at 18. A spring 19 acts upon an ear 2!) extending outwardly from one end of the flopper cam to urge the latter away from the cylinder and a similar spring 21 acts upon an ear 22 on the underlying casting 01f cam.

Intermediate its ends the flopper cam has an outward ly extending lobe 23 to which is fixed a bracket 24 by means of screws 25, 25. The screw 25 has an enlarged head portion as seen in FIG. 3. The bracket has threaded thereinto a first radially directed stop screw 27 at an elevation to engage the outer edge of the cap thereby to fix the innermost position of the fiopper cam. A set screw 28 locks the screw 27 in position. The bracket includes a second radially directed stop screw 29 and a lock screw 30 therefor at an elevation to engage the outer edge of the casting ofi cam, the purpose of which will be described later.

A 'further bracket 31 fixed tothe side of the cap by screws 32 includes an adjustable screw 33 which determines the outermost position of the casting ofi cam. Still another screw 34 threaded in an extension 35 attached to the underside of the casting ofi cam and locked in place by a set screw 36 limits the inward movement of that cam.

Movement of the hopper cam inwardly or outwardly f the cylinder is controlled by a pusher member 37 aflixed to the end or" a bar 38 and adapted to engage the enlarged head portion of the screw 25. The bar 38 is slidably mounted in supporting brackets 39 and 40 and has a pin 41 extending rearwardly adjacent its left hand end as seen in FIG. 2. One arm 42 of a bell crank lever pivoted at 43 is adapted to engage the pin to move the bar 38 in a positive manner outwardly of the cylinder While a spring 44 fixed at one end to a'stationary supporting bracket 45 and at the other end to the underside of the bar urges the bar in the opposite direction. The arm 46 of the bell crank lever is linked to a vertical camcontrolled member 7 which may be actuated from the main drum or pattern chain (not shown).

A second pusher member 48 attached to a slidable bar 49 Engages a pin 50 fixed to the underside of the casting off cam. This bar has a pin 51 projecting forwardly adjacent the left-hand end of the bar which pin may be affected by twov separate controls. The first of these comprises one arm 52 of a bell crank pivoted at 53, the other arm 54 of which is connected to a member 55 which is cam controlled either to withdraw the pusher member 48entirely away from pin 50 or to release that member. Upon such release the pin 51 is subject to the control of the arm 56 of a further bell crank pivoted at 57, the other arm 58 of which is connected to the link 59 which is movable vertically in small increments'in timed unison with the needle cylinder during fashioning in a manner as disclosed, for example, in the above-cited application. Upon release by both controls, pusher member 48 is subject to the influence of spring 44' to cause the casting oil cam to be moved to its innermost position. Obviously, each of the springs 44 and 44' must exert a force sufficient to overcome that of the spring 19 or 21 acting upon the cams in the reverse direction.

Reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 will indicate the configura tion of the casting oil? and fiopper cams as well as the relative positions of the two with respect to the needle 7 cylinder and each other at various representative stages during the knitting of a ladies stocking. The cam 15 has an active camming edge between the arrows a and b (FIG. 5) for smoothly effecting the butts 60 of the sinkers to cause the latter to be moved inwardly and without any firing whereby the sinkers are in position to have the yarn laid and drawn behind their nibs. From the points b to c on the flopper earn the sinkers are substantially radially motionless While needles are measuring the yarn and drawing new stitches.v From 0 to d the sinkers are drawn inwardly by the casting ofi cam 17 to cause the previously formed sinker loops to be cast 0%, this function always being performed by that cam. The active edge of the casting olf cam between the points d and e is concentric with the needle cylinder in order to keep the newly formed stitches taut inside the needle circle thus to prevent the needle, as it is being raised, from passing up through the newly formed stitch.

FIG. 4 represents the cam positions in the Welt portion of a ladies stocking wherein knitting takes place in the conventional manner. Here, the hopper cam is withdrawn to a completely inactive position as indicated, this being accomplished by an outward movement of the pusher member 37. At the same time the pusher member 48 is released by both of its control members to allow the casting off cam to be pushed inwardly to a position wherein its casting off point it is about 0.151 of an inch in from the bore of the cap, this point being established by a proper setting of the screw 34.

FIG. 5 represents the beginning of the leg portion of the stocking wherein knitting takes place over-the backs of the nibs. At this time pusher member 37 is released to move the fiopper cam inwardly to a position where the point b is at about 0.105 of an inch from the bore, the screw 2-7 setting that position. As fashioning starts to take place as the ankle is being approached, the casting ofl cam 17 is progressively withdrawn by means of the arm 56 acting upon pin 51 in timed relation with a de crease in the length of stitch being drawn, the latter being needle hook. casting off cam will have been withdrawn to a point where it comes into contact with the screw 29, which has previously been set for the particular ankle size desired. For a 10-inch knitted ankle the point of of the casting ofi cam should be at a 0.134 position in the ankle. That position is illustrated in FIG. 6, the flopper cam remaining at its 0.105 position during knitting of the entire leg.

'FIG. 7 shows the two cams in heel and toe knitting at which time the flop-per cam is completely withdrawn in the usual manner as well as the casting oil cam, the lat-.

ter to about a 0.125 position, this being established by proper setting of the screw 33. i i

The present invention makes possible the knitting of a smaller size ankle in ladies hosiery as well as a variation of that size within fairly broad limits, at the same time taking full advantage of knitting over the backsof the sinker nibs.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to !be understood that the inventive concept 7 'may be carried out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, but is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim: 1. A sinker assembly for a circular, independent needle, knitting machine which includes a sinker cap, a sinker head, a hopper cam pivoted on said cap and mov able between active and inactive positions, a casting ofi cam pivoted on said cap adjacent saidv flopper cam. and radially movable to a multiplicity of selected positions,

control means operable independently upon each of said i fiopper and easing off cams effective to position said cams radially with respect to said sinker cap, and further means fixed to said fiopper cam and effective upon said casting ofi cam to establish one of the knitting positions ofsaid;

castingoif cam.

'2. A sinker assembly for a circular, independentneedld knitting machine which includes a sinker cap, a sinker head, a ilopper cam pivoted on said cap and movable be tween active and. inactive positions, a casting otf campivoted on said cap adjacent said fiopper cam and radially movable to a multiplicity of selected positions, control means operable independently. upon each of said hopper and casting ofi cams effective to position said cams radially with respect to said, sinker cap, a bracket fixed to said fiopper cam, said bracket including a first adjustable i:

screw for establishing the innermost position of said flop per cam and a second adjustable screw for determining one of the knitting positions of said casting off earn.

3. A sinker assembly for a circular, independent needle, knitting machine which includes a sinker cap, a sinker head, a flapper cam pivoted on said cap and movable between active and inactive positions, a casting oil cam pivoted on said cap adjacent said flapper cam and radially movable to a multiplicity of selected positions, control means operable independently upon each of said flopper and casting off earns eflective to position said cams radially With respect to said sinker cap, said flopper cam including an effective edge Which in its innermost position is concentric withsaid sinker cap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,116,358 Leedharn et a1. May 3, 1938 2,369,780 Fregeolle Feb. 20, 1945 2,374,857 Fregeolle May 1, 1945 2,385,611 Clou-tier Sept. 25, 1945 2,427,720 Fregeolle Sept. 23, 1947 2,580,971 St. Pierre Jan, 1, 1952 2,582,465 St. Pierre Jan. 15, 1952 

3. A SINKER ASSEMBLY FOR A CIRCULAR, INDEPENDENT NEEDLE, KNITTING MACHINE WHICH INCLUDES A SINKER CAP, A SINKER HEAD, A FLOPPER CAM PIVOTED ON SAID CAP AND MOVABLE BETWEEN ACTIVE AND INACTIVE POSITIONS, A CASTING OFF CAM PIVOTED ON SAID CAP ADJACENT SAID FLOPPER CAM AND RADIALLY MOVABLE TO A MULTIPLICITY OF SELECTED POSITIONS, CONTROL MEANS OPERABLE INDEPENDENTLY UPON EACH OF SAID FLOPPER AND CASTING OFF CAMS EFFECTIVE TO POSITION SAID CAMS RADIALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID SINKER CAP, SAID FLOPPER CAM INCLUDING AN EFFECTIVE EDGE WHICH IN ITS INNERMOST POSITION IS CONCENTRIC WITH SAID SINKER CAP. 